“Don't Tread on Me” includes an introduction based on Leonard Bernstein's “America” from West Side Story.
The song appears on Metallica's 1991 album and is notable for its brief interpolation of the melody associated with Bernstein's musical. The reference is heard in the introduction rather than presented as a full cover of the West Side Story song.
“Don't Tread on Me” takes its title from the historical phrase associated with the Gadsden flag. Its lyrics and imagery use patriotic and national symbols, which makes the Bernstein connection an interesting neighboring detail in the album's track list.
The song was issued to rock radio after the album's release but did not receive a commercial single release. That distinction can cause confusion because five other album tracks were promoted as official commercial singles: “Enter Sandman,” “The Unforgiven,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “Wherever I May Roam,” and “Sad but True.”